How Queensland shape up for Origin III
Joel Gould |
Fullback – AJ Brimson
Age: 24
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 1
The Gold Coast fullback will play his first Origin game since 2021 and has earned his spot on the back of sparkling club form. Brimson has dazzling feet and brings the ball back with vim. Very safe under the high ball.
Winger – Xavier Coates
Age: 22
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 3
A slick finisher who uses his 194cm frame to provide dynamism in the air. Has been in superb form in this series and has forged a slick combination with right centre Valentine Holmes.
Centre – Valentine Holmes
Age: 27
Origins: 15
Origin tries: 13
Holmes became just the fourth player in Origin history to notch 100 points in the arena during game two. Now third on the all-time Origin try-scorer list behind Greg Inglis (18) and Darius Boyd (17).
Centre – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Age: 21
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 4
The man known as ‘Hammer’ plays fullback for the Dolphins but has been just as dangerous as a right centre for the Maroons. A supreme athlete who can finish a movement and create something out of nothing.
Winger – Murray Taulagi
Age: 24
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 1
Taulagi uses his huge frame to great impact with his blockbusting runs. A proven finisher in clubland, he has also turned himself into an effective defender. Has saved several crucial tries already in this series.
Five-eighth – Cameron Munster
Age: 28
Origins: 17
Origin tries: 3
Munster has done just about everything in the game but has said his next aim is to be part of his first Origin clean sweep. When the game is on the line, Munster is the man who wants the ball in his hands more than any other.
Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
Age: 34
Origins: 21
Origin tries: 2
The oldest player on either side, Cherry-Evans has now led the Maroons to three series wins out of the past four. Is playing the best football of his career and was in stunning form in the 32-6 win in game two.
Prop – Reuben Cotter
Age: 24
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Cotter has played every minute of his three Origin games. That says everything you need to know about the North Queensland warhorse who was man of the match in game one this year. The ultimate team man, built for Origin.
Hooker – Harry Grant
Age: 25
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 1
The Melbourne rake has been named to start after coming off the bench in the first two games. Grant’s dynamic running game and slick service from dummy-half make him a potent threat.
Prop – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Age: 23
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 0
The Gold Coast captain has played 11 Origin games in a row for the Maroons and is one of the first picked. Already shaping as one of Queensland’s best props of the modern era at the age of 23. As potent in the 80th minute as he is in the first.
Second-row – David Fifita
Age: 23
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
Fifita has been earmarked for greatness since his junior days and this season he has lived up the hype that has surrounded his career. The Titans wrecking ball is making the tough carries and playing with maximum impact as a wide runner to be reckoned with.
Second-row – Jeremiah Nanai
Age: 20
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 1
The youngest member of the forward pack and the most exciting in open play. Few second-rowers possess Nanai’s freakish skill set. As dynamic in the air as an outside back, he also has the ball skills of a five-eighth.
Lock – Patrick Carrigan
Age: 25
Origins: 5
Origin tries: 0
Has emerged as a genuine leader of the Maroons forward pack in just his second series. Carrigan can be counted on to take it to the NSW pack with the uncompromising play that has become his trademark.
Interchange:
Ben Hunt
Age: 33
Origins: 16
Origin tries: 3
Hunt is now part of a dynamic one-two punch with fellow rake Harry Grant. Whether as a starter or off the bench, Hunt will make his tackles in the middle and provide guile around the ruck. A halfback in club football, he is a valuable asset should any injury befall the Maroons starting halves.
Lindsay Collins
Age: 27
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
The Sydney Roosters prop is the Maroons’ lucky charm. He has now played in three Origin series and has won all three. Grew up a fan of Maroons legend Nate Myles and plays with the same no-nonsense approach. A player his teammates hold in the highest of regard.
Moeaki Fotuaika
Age: 23
Origins: 5
Tries: 0
The Titans prop is another of the young brigade of Maroons forwards who has a decade of Origin football ahead of him. Fotuaika has great leg speed and a huge motor that makes him hard to stop and always in the contest.
Corey Horsburgh
Age: 25
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
The only debutant for the Maroons in this game, the man known as ‘Big Red’ is hard to miss on the park with his explosive style and high involvement. Has learned to channel his aggression for Canberra this year and can play on the edge or in the middle of the park.
18th man – Tom Dearden
Age: 21
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Dearden is the perfect choice as 18th man, providing cover mainly in the halves. Showed maturity beyond his years in last year’s decider when he was a late replacement for Munster and had a blinder at Suncorp Stadium.
AAP
